Cigarette and cigar case



Sept. 27, 1949. 5. J. LEVI 2,482,920

CIGARETTE AND CIGAR CASE:

Filed Feb. 9, 1946 I'NVENTQR v my;

*Ka ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 27, 1949 2,482,920 I CIGARETTE ANDCIGAB. CASE Samuel J. Levi, Birmingham,

3 Claims.

This invention relates to cigarette and cigar cases of the kind comprising two shallow trays connected together by a hinge so that they can be brought face to face, with one tray then forming a lid for the other, and releasable fastening means for retaining the case in this closed position.

In connection with such cases a coiled spring separate from the hinge is sometimes arranged to bias the two trays towards the open position, so that the case will snap open when the catch is released.

With such an arrangement, part or the whole of the coiled spring is exposed to view when the case is opened so that an unsightly appearance is presented. The object of the present invention is to provide a more sightly construction in which fewer parts are employed in the manufacture of the case than in the construction above enumerated.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cigarette case in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a detached perspective view showing the parts of the hinge prior to assembly.

In the drawing the cigarette case indicated generally at l n comprises two parts each formed in known manner as a shallow tray I I having integral inturned marginal lips 12.

In the construction illustrated the case is rectangular, each tray having such a lip along three of its sides, the fourth side having a series of spaced tubular lugs l3 adapted to be intercalated with those at the corresponding side of the other tray and to receive a hinge pin.

The free edge of the one tray is provided with a spring loaded catch l4 adapted to engage under a recessed part l5 of the inturned lip at the free edge of the other tray when the case is closed and to be released by pressure on an external thumb piece l6 associated therewith.

The hinge pin I1 is made long enough to project at each end of the hinge on assembly of the case and its end portions [8 are thereafter bent in opposite directions. The pin is made of torsionally resilient material, i. e. material which when twisted resumes its original shape on release, and a convenient material is piano wire or tempered spring steel strip .of flat rectangular section.

When the end portions [8 are bent in the manner described they constitute spring limbs, which latter are arranged at 180 to one another with reference to the central part of the pin or if desired at some smaller angle depending upon the extent to which the case is required to snap open when the catch is released.

After bending, the end portions [8 of the hinge pin are pressed inwardly somewhat and allowed to'engage between the bases [9 of the two trays and the inturned lips l2, being thereby concealed from view when the case is opened, so that a very neat construction is obtained, while as compared with the coiled spring construction previously referred to less parts are employed in the manufacture of the case.

The flat steel strip is so bent that its narrower edges engage with the bases 19. By bending the strip in this manner it is found that for a given opening movement of the two trays relative to one another a lighter hand pressure can be used to close the case than would be so if the hinge pin of round section were employed in the same way.

The act of closing the case moves the two end portions l8 of the pin. towards a common plate containing the hinge axis, so that the central portion of the pin acts as a torsion bar, and when the catch I4 is released, the case opens and the torsional pressure exerted by the centre portion .of the hinge pin upon the two end portions l8 in engagement with the bases of the trays.

Although I have illustrated the invention as applied to a cigarette case, it should be understood that it can equally well be applied to a cigar case.

What I claim then is:

l. A cigarette and cigar case comprising a pair of trays, hinge lugs on an edge of each tray, a hinge pin extending through said lugs connecting said trays hingedly together, said hinge pin being formed of torsionally resilient material, end portions of said pin being bent in opposite directions and engaging one with each of the bases of the trays at opposite sides of the case, said case at said opposite sides having integral inturned lips under which the said end portions are disposed, and said end portions being adapted to engage with said lips when the case is fully open so as resiliently to limit the opening movement of the case.

2. A cigarette and cigar case comprising a pair of trays, hinge lugs on an edge of each tray, a hinge pin extending through said lugs connecting said trays hingedly together, said hinge'pin comprising spring steel strip of flat rectangular section, end portions of the strip being bent in opposite directions so that the narrower edges thereof engage one with each of the bases of the trays at opposite sides of the case, said case at said opposite sides having integral inturned lips under which the said end portions are disposed, and said end portions being adapted to engage with said lips when the case is fully open so as resiliently to limit the opening movement of the case.

3. A cigarette and cigar case comprising a pair of trays, hinge lugs on an edge of each tray, a hinge pin extending through said lugs connecting said trays; hing edly together, said hinge pin comprising spring steel strip of flat rectangular. section, end portions of the strip being bent in opposite directions so that the narrower edges thereof engage one with each of the. bases oiithe trays at opposite sides of the case, said case at, said opposite sides having integral inturned lips I under which the said end portians are disposed releasable catch means adapted automatically to retain the case closed, and said end portions being adapted to engage with said lips when the case is fully open so as resiliently to limit the opening movement of the case.

S. J. LEVI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references PATENTS UNITED STATES Number Name Date 753,381 Vom Eigen Mar. 1, 1904 822,555 Rogers June 5, 1906 1,180,060 Mitchell Apr. 18, 1916 1,186,9t1 Rosene June 6, 1916 2,181,993 Hammerling Dec. 5, 1939 

